Can opener and strip guide



I Jan. 8, 1957 C. M. SANDERS CAN OPENER AND STRIP GUIDE Filed Feb. 26, 1954 INVENTOR. mom/v; 571M205 United States Patent CAN OPENER AND STRIP GUIDE Caroline M. Sanders, Los Angeles, @Ialif.

Application February 26, 1954, Serial No. 412,799

8 Claims. (Cl. 220-52) Generally speaking, the present invention relates to an improved can opener. More particularly, it relates to an improved can opener adapted for use in opening a can of the type which is sealed by the junction of a can sealing strip with the wall of the can in a manner whereby the application of force will tear the junction (or plurality of junctions) of the can sealing strip and the can Wall to effectively open the can. The present invention is adapted for use in grasping the free engageable end of such a can sealing strip and winding it around a spindle in a virtually planar manner, and is provided with means for easily disengaging the wound fastening strip from the spindle after the can opening operation is completed.

At the present time, a great many cans of the sealed type adapted to contain perishable food or other means therein, are sealed by means of a narrow circumferential (or peripheral) sealing strip lying in a horizontal plane near either the top or the bottom edge of a can. Said sealing strip is usually defined by weakened edge junctions with the adjacent portions of the can walls whereby the application of sufficient force to the sealing strip will cause it to be forcibly torn out of sealing relationship with respect to the can wall, to effectively open the can.

The application of the necessary force to accomplish this operation is usually provided by engaging a slotted key with a free engageable end of the can sealing strip and rotating the key to wind the strip therearound, thus applying sufiicient force to tear the weak tearable junction or junctions of the can sealing strip and the can wall.

It will be understood, that at the conclusion of the can opening operation, the sealing strip is wound around the key and both the wound sealing strip and the key are usually thrown away. This is so primarily because it would be necessary to completely unwind the strip from the key in order to disengage them. This would be both time consuming and somewhat dangerous. Therefore, as hereinbefore stated, each key is usually utilized for one can opening operation, only. This necessitates a new key for each new can to be opened, and is usually provided for by placing a key in removable association with each can, before placing the cans on sale to the ultimate consumer.

This is undesirable for several reasons. First, because the keys frequently become dis-associated from the cans and lost, and also because of the additional expense involved.

Another disadvantage of such prior art arrangements is the fact that no means is provided for guiding the winding operation of the can sealing strip around the key. Frequently this does not occur in a planar mannerin other words portions of the wound strip become displaced from the remainder thereof. This seriously interferes with the can opening operation and, in some cases, may virtually entirely prevent it. Also, in an attempt to straighten-out the wound strip, the operator of the device may very easily cut his fingers.

Generally speaking, the improved can opener'and strip guide of the present invention includes spindle means (usually vertically arranged) provided with actuating handle means (usually at the top thereof) for rotating said spindle means. Said spindle means is provided with open-ended longitudinal slot means adjacent the opposite end thereof (usually the bottom end thereof), which is adapted to removably engage a free engaging end of a can-sealing strip (usually laterally arranged around at least a portion of the periphery of the can, whereby the handle means can be forcibly rotated to remove the sealing strip from a can sealed thereby, while simultaneously winding said sealing strip around said spindle in a virtually planar manner under the control of guide means for the sealing strip effectively forming a lateral loop adjacent said spindle means in the region of said slot means and in encompassing relationship with respect to said removed sealing strip and having pivotal connection means at one end thereof (usually the top end) effectively connecting said guide means for rotation around the longitudinal axis of said spindle means. The other end (a free end) of said guide means is in close juxtaposition to said spindle means but is selectively resiliently displaceable with respect thereto whereby said sealing strip can be removed from engagement with said spindle means (and said open-ended slot means therein) by resiliently displacing the free end of said guide means and relatively longitudinally moving the sealing strip with respect to said spindle means and said slot means so as to cause relative disengagement thereof.

From the above generic description of the present invention, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that virtually all of the hereinabove-mentioned prior art disadvantages are virtually entirely eliminated and overcome in and through the use of the present invention.

For example, the present invention can be used repeatedly to open any desired number of cans of the stripsealing-type. Therefore, the prior art requirement of one can opening key in association with each can, is completely eliminated.

After the completion of a can opening operation, the can sealing strip wound around the spindle means can be effectively removed from the spindle means without any unwinding of the strip and by a simple relative longitudinal movement of the spindle means and strip means.

Furthermore, the guide means effectively causes the sealing strip to be wound on the spindle, during the can opening operation, in a spiral virtually planar manner thus eliminating all prior art disadvantages comprising loss of can-opening force and the likelihood of cutting the fingers in an attempt to straighten the wound strip.

Furthermore, the device of the present invention supplies substantially greater can-opening torque, thus making it possible for a small woman or a child to easily and rapidly open such a can.

With the above points in mind, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved can opener adapted for use in opening a can of the strip-sealed type, and to do so-in a manner allowing the easy disengagement of the wound sealing strip from the can opening device after the completion of the can opening operation, whereby the device will be ready for subsequent canopening use.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an improved can opener of the type set forth in the preceding object, which is provided with means adapted to cause the wound sealing strip produced by the can opening operation to be of a virtually planar type, whereby to overcome the disadvantages of prior art non-planar can opening, sealing strip removing operations.

Other and allied objects will be apparent to those skilled in the art after a careful perusal, examination and study of the accompanying illustrations, the present specification and the appended claims.

To facilitate understanding, reference will be made to the hereinbelow described drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a front elevational view of one illustrative embodiment of the present invention shown with the spindle means and the strip guide means in cooperative relationship with respect to a can sealing strip in partially removed relationship with respect to a can whLch has been sealed thereby. Can edge engaging means is also shown in cooperative relationship with respect to the projecting upper edge of a can (shown broken away).

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the form of the invention shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a bottom plan view of the form of the invention shown in Fig. 1 taken in the direction of the arrows III-III.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the form of the invention shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3 with the free end of the strip guide means resiliently displaced as a result of lateral pressure exerted by an operators finger (not shown) to allow disengagement of the sealing strip which has been wound around the spindle during the removal thereof from sealing relationship with respect to a can.

Generally speaking, the improved can opener of the present invention includes spindle means provided with actuating handle means for rotating said spindle means, and open-ended slot means longitudinally carried by the spindle means and adapted to removably engage a free engaging end of a can sealing strip.

in the specific example illustrated, the spindle means is indicated generally at 1 and comprises two virtually parallel longitudinal members 2 and 3 spaced apart so as to define longitudinal slot means 4 which is open at the bottom therebetween.

In the specific example illustrated, the actuating handle means is indicated at 5 and is afiixed to the spindle means 1 at the upper end thereof in any suitable manner so as to normally carry said spindle means 1 in a downwardly extending direction.

Also generally speaking, the present invention includes strip guide means for the sealing strip eifectively forming a lateral loop adjacent the spindle means in the region of the slot means and in encompassing relationship with respect to a removed sealing strip (a sealing strip removed from a can and wound around the spindle means). Said strip guide means is provided with pivotal connection means at one end thereof effectively connecting said guide means for rotation around the longitudinal axis of the spindle means. The other end of said guide means is normally in close juxtaposition to the spindle means but is resiliently displaceable with respect thereto whereby to allow said sealing strip wound around said spindle to be removed from engagement with said spindle and said open-ended slot means therein by resiliently displacing the free end of said guide means and relatively longitudinally moving the scaling strip with respect to said spindle means and said slot means so as to cause relative disengagement thereof.

In the specific example illustrated, said guide means is indicated generally at 6 and comprises a first or upper outwardly directed arm 7, a second or intermediate downwardly directed arm 8, and a third or lower inwardly directed arm 9 provided with a free end 10 positioned adjacent the end of the slot 4 in the spindle means 1.

a the specific example illustrated, the pivotal connection means for connecting the strip guide means for rotaiion around the longitudinal axis of the spindle means comprises a hollow circular eye member 11 carried by the inner end of the upper arm 7 and rotatively positioned within a groove 12 at the juncture of the handle 5 and the spindle 1 whereby to rotatively mount the strip guide means 6 for rotation about the longitudinal axis of the spindle means 1.

The present invention may, if desired, also be provided with can edge engaging means. In the specific example illustrated, this comprises the lower portion 13L, which with the upper portion 13U, define the groove means 12.

The operation of the device may be briefly described as follows:

The handle 5 is manually grasped and the slot 4 in the spindle means 1 is placed in engagement with the free end 14A of a can sealing strip 14 carried by a can 15 which is to be opened. The can edge engaging means 13L is also placed on and in engagement with the upwardly projecting edge 16 of the can 15. Then the handle 5 is rotated in a clockwise direction (as seen in downward plan view) which causes the strip 14 to be wound around the spindle 1 between and within the arms 7, 8 and 9 of the guide means 6, and will cause the entire device (through the medium of the can edge engaging means 13L) to ride around the upper periphery 16 of the can 15 until the entire strip 14 has been wound on the spindle 1 and has been completely severed from the can wall 17 both above and below the sealing strip 14, at which time the free end 10 of the strip guide means 6 will be manually, resiliently, laterally displaced into the position shown in Fig. 4, which will allow the coiled strip 14 carried by the spindle 1 to be moved downwardly and completely disengaged from the spindle 1 and the slot 4.

It will be noted that the arrangement is such that the strip 14 is forced to assume a virtually planar position during the spiral winding thereof around the spindle 1 thus overcoming the hereinabove-mentioned prior art disadvantages.

Numerous modifications, and variations of the present invention will occur to those skilled in the art after a careful study thereof. All such properly within the spirit and scope of the present invention are intended to be included and comprehended herein as fully as if specifically described, illustrated and claimed herein.

For example, the can edge engaging means may be modified substantially, may be made vertically adjustable, or may be eliminated entirely. In this latter case, the groove means 12 may be retained even though the can edge engaging means 131. (and even the upper member 13H) are eliminated. In this case also, the lower portion of the actuating handle would have to be reduced in size to allow close positioning of the device along side of a can.

The spindle means may also be modified substantially within the spirit of the present invention and may comprise two separate but relatively fixed members positioned side-by-side to effectively define slot means, or may comprise a single member which has been slotted to provide an equivalent structure. The relative lengths and/or positionings of the two members defining the slot means may also be modified substantially.

The strip guide means may take a number of diiferent forms within the general teaching of the present invention, as may the pivotal connection means.

While I contemplate making most of the device of steel, or generally similar material (although the handle may be of wood, plastic or other suitable materials, if desired), and while i contemplate that the spindle adjacent the slot may be hardened by suitable treatment, I do not limit the present invention to any special materials or special treatments.

The exact compositions, configurations, constructions, relative positionings, and cooperative relationships of the various component parts of the present invention are not critical, and can be modified substantially within the spirit of the present invention.

The embodiments of the present invention specifically described and illustrated herein are exemplary only, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention, which is to be interpreted in the light of the prior art and the appended claims only, with due consideration for the doctrine of equivalents.

I claim:

1. An improved can opener cooperable for use in opening a can of the type which is sealed by a weak tearable junction, with a wall of the can, of a sealing strip having a free engageable end, comprising: spindle means provided with actuating handle means for rotating said spindle means; open-ended slot means longitudinally carried by the spindle means and cooperable to removably engage a free engaging endof a can sealing strip, whereby the handle means can be forcibly rotated to remove the sealing strip from a can sealed thereby and to wind said sealing strip around said spindle; and guide means for the sealing strip effectively forming a lateral loop adjacent said spindle means in the region of said slot means in encompassing relationship with respect to a removed sealing strip and having pivotal connection means at one end thereof elfectively connecting said guide means for rotation around the longitudinal axis of the spindle means, said pivotal connection means being virtually immovable along the longitudinal axis of the spindle means, the other end of said guide means being in close juxtaposition to said spindle means but resiliently displaceable with respect thereto whereby said sealing strip can be removed from engagement with said spindle means and said openended slot means therein by resiliently displacing the free end of said guide means and relatively longitudinally moving the sealing strip with respect to said spindle means and said slot means so as to cause relative disengagement thereof.

2. A device of the character defined in claim 1 wherein said guide means includes a first outwardly directed arm, a second crossarm and a third inwardly directed arm having a free end adjacent said spindle means and said slot means therein at a point spaced from said handle means; and wherein said pivotal connection means comprises an eye member carried by the inner end of said first arm in rotatable relationship with respect to the exterior of said spindle member around the longitudinal axis thereof and virtually immovable along said axis.

3. An improved can opener cooperable for use in opening a can of the type which is sealed by a weak tearable junction, with a wall of the can, of a sealing strip having a free engageable end, comprising: normally vertically downwardly directed spindle means provided with normally upwardly directed actuating handle means for rotating said spindle means; downwardly open-ended slot means longitudinally carried by the spindle means and cooperable to removably engage a free engaging end of a can sealing strip, whereby the handle means can be forcibly rotated to remove the sealing strip from a can sealed thereby and to wind said sealing strip around said spindle; and guide means for the sealing stripefiectively forming a lateral loop adjacent said spindle means in the region of said slot means in encompassing relationship with respect to a removed sealing strip and having pivotal connection means at the upper end thereof effectively connecting said guide means for rotation around the longitudinal axis of the spindle means, said pivotal connection means being virtually vertically immovable with respect to the spindle means, the lower end of said guide means being in close lateral juxtaposition to said spindle means but being laterally resiliently displaceable with respect thereto whereby said sealing strip can be removed from engagement with said spindle means and said open-ended slot means therein by laterally resiliently displacing the free end of said guide means and relatively longitudinally downwardly moving the sealing strip with respect to said spindle means and said slot means so as to cause relative disengagement thereof.

4. A device of the character defined in claim 3, wherein said guide means includes an upper outwardly laterally directed arm, an intermediate downwardly directed arm, and a lower inwardly laterally directed arm having a free inner end adjacent said spindle means and said slot means therein at a point spaced substantially below the upper end of said slot means; and wherein said pivotal connection means comprises an eye member carried by the inner end of said upper arm in rotatable relationship with respect to the exterior of said spindle member around the longitudinal axis thereof and virtually vertically im movable along said axis.

5. An improved can opener cooperable for use in opening a can of the type which has a projection edge and which is sealed by a weak tearable' junction, with a wall of the can, of a sealing strip having a free engageable end, comprising: spindle means provided with actuating handle means for rotating said spindle means; open-ended slot means longitudinally carried by the spindle means and cooperable to removably engage a free engaging end of a can sealing strip, whereby the handle means can be forcibly rotated to remove the sealing strip from a can sealed thereby and to wind said sealing strip around said spindle; and guide means for the sealing strip effectively forming a lateral loop adjacent said spindle means in the region of said slot means in encompassing relationship with respect to a removed sealing strip and having pivotal connection means at one end thereof efiectively connecting said guide means for rotation around the longitudinal axis of the spindle means, said pivotal connection means being virtually immovable along the longitudinal axis of the spindle means, the other end of said guide means being in close juxtaposition to said spindle means but resiliently displaceable with respect thereto whereby said sealing strip can be removed from engagement with said spindle means and said open-ended slot means therein by resiliently displacing the free end of said guide means and relatively longitudinally moving the sealing strip with respect to said spindle means and said slot means so as to cause relative disengagement thereof; and can edge engaging means efiectively longitudinally fixed with respect to said spindle means and said handle means and laterally continuously slidably cooperable with respect to a projecting edge of a can, whereby the spindle means will be suported and carried in the proper can opening relationship with respect to a sealing strip and will eifectively Wind said sealing strip on the spindle means during the can opening operation in a spiral virtually planar manner.

6. A device of the character defined in claim 5 wherein said guide means includes a first outwardly directed arm, a second crossarm and a third inwardly directed arm having a free end adjacent said spindle means and said slot means therein at a point spaced from said handle means; and wherein said pivotalconnection means comprises an eye member carried by the inner end of said first arm in rotatable relationship with respect to the exterior of said spindle member around the longitudinal axis thereof and virtually immovable along said axis.

7. An improved can opener cooperable for use in opening a can of the type which has a projection edge and which is sealed by a weak tearable junction, with a wall of the can, of a sealing strip having a free engageable end, comprising: normally vertically downwardly directed spindle means provided with normally upwardly directed actuating handle means for rotating said spindle means; downwardly open-ended slot means longitudinally carried by the spindle means and cooperable to removably engage a free engaging end of a can sealing strip, whereby the handle means can be forcibly rotated to remove the sealing strip from a can sealed thereby and to wind said sealing strip around said spindle; and guide means for the sealing strip effectively forming a lateral loop adjacent said spindle means in the region of said slot means in encompassing relationship with respect to a removed sealing strip and having pivotal connection means at the upper end thereof effectively connecting said guide means for rotation around the longitudinal axis of the spindle means, said pivotal connection means being virtually vertically immovable with respect to the spindle means, the lower end of said guide means being in close lateral juxtaposition to said spindle means but being laterally resiliently displaceable with respect thereto whereby said sealing strip can be removed from engagement with said spindle means and said openended slot means therein by laterally resiliently displacing the free end of said guide means and relatively longitudinally downwardly moving the sealing strip with respect to said spindle means and said slot means so as to cause relative disengagement thereof; and can edge engaging means effectively longitudinally fixed with respect to said spindle means and said handle means and laterally continuously slidably cooperable with respect to a projecting edge of a can, whereby the spindle means will be supported and carried in the proper can opening relationship with respect to a sealing strip and will effectively wind said sealing strip on the spindle means during the can opening operation in a spiral virtually planar manner.

8. A device of the character defined in claim 7, wherein said guide means includes an upper outwardly laterally directed arm, an intermediate downwardly directed arm, and a lower inwardly laterally directed arm having a free inner end adjacent said spindle means and said slot means therein at a point spaced substantially below the upper end of said slot means; and wherein said pivotal connection means comprises an eye member carried by the inner end of said upper arm in rotatable relationship with respect to the exterior of said spindle member around the longitudinal axis thereof and vir' tually vertically immovable along said axis.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 555,940 Fellows Mar. 10, 1896 2,300,270 Wakefield Oct. 27, 1942 2,649,990 Lyle Aug. 25, 1953 

